I believe every workplace should have principles or values that govern it so that it creates a safe and comfortable space for everyone to work in. Unfortunately, sometimes workers get used to the company and don’t feel the need to follow a few beliefs, and if not dealt with, it can affect the company’s operation. Regardless of one’s high qualification, skills, experience, and smartness, without office etiquette, few people may want to interact or work with you. Office etiquette rules are the overall ethics for workplace behaviour. Some of these are; Privacy Be mindful of the information your share with colleagues or on social media because too much exposure of your work to the public may be a bit unprofessional, depending on where you work. Choose what to share and what not to. When in office, have your personal or sensitive conversations from somewhere, its uncomfortable receiving a phone call and not excuse yourself especially if you share an office with other people. Respect Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, regardless of their job position. Just as you treat your top bosses, so you should with janitors. I get bothered when I see people under looking cleaners, custodians, and security guards. Sincerely, how do you report to work and don’t even greet them? Sometimes you find cleaners trying to do their job and people are moving up and down stepping their dirty shoes where they’re cleaning without feeling pity, this is wrong. Everyone should be entitled to their ideas, and be given a chance to speak up. No one has a right to negatively criticise others or make fun of them for their ideas. Those who do it in most cases are bullies or want to assume that they know more than others. Mind your hygiene Being healthy, neat, and clean really matters. How one dresses, how they care about their bodies, how they smell, et cetera matters. People tend to attach respect to how one dresses and conduct themselves. You can apply some perfume to complement your attire; however, it shouldn’t be so strong because you never know some of your colleagues may be allergic to strong scents. Also, your office desk should be left clean and tidy. Some people eat from their offices and leave all the mess there hoping that cleaners will do the needful. Even though it’s their job to so, at least reduce their workload, for instance; take good use of the dustbins and trash everything that needs to be trashed. Take back any used cups, glasses, or cutlery to the kitchen. Avoid eating in an office setting when your co-workers are not eating. Yes, they’re your snacks, you bought them with your money and you have a right to eat, but it’s a bit awkward eating while others are not. Excuse yourself for some minutes, go out and eat, then come back. Maybe some people can’t afford lunch yet you’re busy feasting on chicken, to save them that pain, its better you eat in privacy or go to a restaurant. Discipline Use of vulgar language is unacceptable, and workers should use the toilets and washrooms appropriately and leave them clean. As for phone ringtones, they ought to be in silence or at a low tone; people don’t need to be disturbed. Chewing gum is a very ill habit, not only at work but also in public. And one mistake some people do is to talk with others while chewing, a thing that is considered an indiscipline. Loud music is disrupting especially during work hours, it’s just common sense for one to use earphones to make the working space comfortable. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
